Solar Skin

Wurster Tower, UC Berkeley, CA

A curving and climbing single span structure that sets itself apart as an innovative rooftop expansion while simultaneously responding to Wurster Hall’s existing structure, formal language, and shading. The addition will provide an activated connection space between the two towers through a series of flexible programmatic areas including studio spaces, galleries, and exterior rooftop terraces around a central gathering stair. The form, structure, daylighting, energy usage, solar panels, and envelope design were optimized using parametric design and analysis programs including Karamba, Kangaroo, Ladybug, Diva, and  Radiance.